Scale



March 6, 1928. 1,661,

A J. W. BRYCE SCALE Filed May 12, 1921 4 Shets-Sheet 1 a5- ew mm s March 6, 1928. 1,661,555

J. w. BRYCE SCALE Filed-May 12. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 A avwemtoz la/rm 0A..

March 6, 1928.

J. W. BRYCE SCALE Filed May 12. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 x a w N QSQQ uaulai u dsjp uzuag Svwzutoz Patented Mar. 6, 1928.

UNlTED STATES JAMES VF. BRYCE, OF BING AMTON, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY TYTESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

TO DAYTON SCALE COMPANY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF NEKV JERSEY.

SCALE.

Application filed Mayy12, 1921.

The present invention relates to improvements in weighing scales, and more particularlyto improvements for automatically olfsetting the applied load.

In the drawings 1 shows a front elevation of a scale embodying my improved constructions.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the scale with a portion of the housing shown broken away.

Fig. 3 is a detail showing the motor and the connections which are employed for applying capacity weights to a movable part of the scale.

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing in plan the parts shown in Fig.

' Fig. 5 is a detail showing the capacity weight indicator setting device.

Fig. 6 is a detail showing certain of the electric contact devices.

Fig. 7 shows a diagram of the electric circuits.

Fig. 8 shows a detail of the actuating member for the contacts shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 shows a detail enlarged view of the controlling relay and associated parts.

10 shows a draft rod switch to interrupt the supply of current when there is c l ad upon the scale.

T 1 shows a diagrammatic figure r the action of a scale beam under :rtain varying load conditions.

scale to which my invention is here shown as The the :11 c international 601 scale, and requires no d tailed description. In main, the

scale comprises a fulcrum beam 10, having connected thereto the automatic counter balancing means in the form' of pendulums 11 and 12. A draft rod 13 connects the beam with the base lever system and platform (not shown) and suitable connections from the beam variably displace a pointer over a dial 15 in accorcance with the displacement of the beam as controlled by the utomatic counterbalance. As customary in csles of this sort, the graduation range of dial corresponds to the range or capacity the automatic counterbalance. Here the i1 is shown with 1000 pounds capacity, l intermediate the 1000 and zero gradua C "tion s clear space 16.

nplied is of a type well known in Serial No. 468,834.

Scales ofthis type are fully automatic for loads within the range of the dial. For greater loads, supplementary load offsetting means are used. These usually comprise. a series of capacity weights which are manually applied to some movable scale part such as the beam. The weights react against the beam and eizert sullicient force to again bring the parts under the control of the pendulums.

In the present invention, I provide means for automatically setting into operation a controlling means for the supplementary load offsetting means, so that the force eX- erted thereby upon the beam will change automatically whenever the indicator reaches its 111a lill'l1til11 position or returim to slightly behind its Zero position.

lVhile the control here described is particularly adaptable for controlling the application of so-called capacity weights, it may be used for controlling other forms of load offsetting mechanism as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

Upon the end of the beam 10, I provide an adjustable nose piece which carries a knife edge 17 adapted to receive a plurality of capacity weights 18. Each capacity weight has a V-notch to cooperate with the knife edge 17 carried by the beam, and a second Vnotch to cooperate with a knife edge 19 carried by a shifter arm. There is one of these shifter arms for each weight. I have here shown four capacity weights 18 and four shifter arms 20 21, 22 and 23. In order to successively actuate the shifter arms to successively remove the weights from the beam I employ a number of cams 2% carried by shaft 25.

A capacity weight changing mechanism of this t pe is shown and described in further detail in theapplication of Robert Graig, Serial NO. 439,334. I

The shaft 25 is suitably journaled and has fast thereto a driving gear 26. The shaft is also provided with a cam 27 which is suitably shape-a to actuate a follower 28and dilierentially position a capacity weight indicator 29 (see Fig. 5). Upon the end of the shaft 25 are a pair of one revolution cams 30 and 31. These cams are of identical L tion with scales of contour and are slightly displaced angularly relatively to each other so as to close and open pairs of contacts 32 and 38. The purpose of these came is to maintain a circuit (which will be hereafter described) closed during substantially their entire revolution and to open this circuit substantially at the end of one revolution of shaft 525.

The capacity weight changing mechanism herein shown is intended to operate in the following cycle. Normally, with no load upon the beam, all capacity weights are upon the beam; upon the applicatlon of a load these weights are removed one by one until the combined forces of the remaining weight or weights and the automatic counterbalanee balance the load. The removal of further weights is then interrupted. i the load thereafter be entirely removed, the capacity weight changing device will continue in its cycle until all the we1ghts are removed and again reapplied to the beam. This cycle is desirable but not essential.

The invention may also be used in connecthe well known type in which the weights normally off and placed on as needed, or with other constructions in which load offsetting mech anism to be controlled in accordance with loading conditions of a scale element.

lt will be understood that the removal and application of weights to the beam is secured by rotating the driving gear 26 and the cams 9A. To eifect this rotation a motor as is provided which drives a shaft 35 carrying a toothed clutch 'iember 36. it rotatable sleeve 37 on the shaft carries a. pinion 38 which meshes with gear 26. Ellidable endwise upon the .leeve and fixed against relative rotation thereto is a complementary toothed clutch member 39. Engagement of the clutch is attained by the electrical energization ot' a clutch magnet d0 which withdraws an arm 41 from a cam groove in the complementary clutch member and allows a spring .42 to force the clutch elements together and couple the motor to the gear 26. De-energization of the clutch magnet allows the arm to drop back in the cam groove and cam the clutch elements apart. The clutch is disengaged at a. predetermined point in the rotation of sleeve 37, since there is a single cainming point in groove l3. This point of disengagement is timed with respect to the actuation of the shifter arms by the cams so that the disengagement is 'ef fected just after the elevation of one arm and before the actuation of the next shifter arm. The clutch magnet arm 421, in addition to disengaging the clutch at a predetermined point, loclrs the sleeve 37 and the capacity weight changing mechanism against further rotation. Clutches of this type actuated magnetically are well known in the tubulating machine l i hen the clutch neonate is engaged and the motor 34 energized, the rotation of the motor will causev the weights to be successively removed from the beam. Disengagement of the clutch will lock the weight changing mechanism and thereafter permit the free rotation of the motor. l

ln order to automatically effect changes in the supplementary load offsetting mech anism I provide a control system which will now be described.

Disposed adjacent the beam are pairs of control contacts a l and 45. These contacts are mounted so as to be adjustable up and down by adjustment devices at and the contact opening is adjusted by the contact adjusting screws d7. Extending rearwardly from the beam is an arm 8) which carries an insulating block d8. Upon the movement of the beam to a predetermined downward position (in the present embodiment corresponding to the position of the beam with the pointer just beyond 1000 pounds) the contacts d5 are closed. Similarly, upward movement of the beam to a predetermined point, closes the upper control contacts as. in intermediate positions both contacts are open.

l also provide so-called draft rod contacts which are adapted tomaintain open circuit conditions when there is no load upon the scale and close the circuit upon the applica' tion of a load. These contacts are shown at 49 in Fig. 10. The draft red is made in two parts with a lost motion spring connection 50 therebetween. Upon the application of a load upon the draft red, the spring yields allowing the contacts 49 to come together and closea circuit. Upon the removal of load or with no load upon the scale, the spring extends and the contacts open, thereby interrupting the circuit.

in the use of controlling contacts operated by a scale beam or like element a number of conditions arise which have hereto fore made devices of this sort very unreliable. Difiiculty has been experienced with the pitting and burning of the contacts. The exact timing of contact opening and closure has not been secured, and if temporarily attained would soon change so as to necessitate contact adjustment or replacement. l have found that with contacts of this sort where pres-sures are frequently very light and of varying intensity it is necessary to preent in some way the arcing burning or heating effect at the contacts. Current flow through the contacts must be keptlow and the open circuit voltage across the contacts when they are open must be low, preferably below 50 volts. Otherwise it is found that the contacts are slowly opened or closed with a light pressure such as would be secured from a scale beam, that heating'and consequent contact deterioration rapidly d 1- IUU llU

ise

rill

velop. Furthermore the time of the ultimate opening of the controlled circuit will be very inexact since current will continue to flow arter the contacts are actually opened unless the are at the contacts prevented. To prevent these objectionable actions I provide means for controling the amount of current and the open circuit voltage ac -oss the contacts.

Another condition which arises with beam actuated contact controls is that under cer tain conditions the contacts are actually reopened and again closed when it is intended ,that a single contact be made and maintained, or broke and lrept broke. Also under other conditions a vagrant contact may be made which is due to some extreme condition of loading.

In Fig. 11 l have (1* grannnaticallv shown the action of a scale be m in actuating controlling contacts. A .me that the scale has a load of exactly 2000 pounds. it is obvious that this weight may be lnilanced by autmatic counterbalance and a single capacity weight, or by two capaci weights of a load ofisetting value of 1000 .ouuds each. The control device must therefore determine whether one or two weights are to remain upon the beam. Under these conditions hunting will tend to take place, and the capacity weights will be alternately r moved and aoplied. Such action is objectionable and should be prevented. It the beam moves definitely away from one controlling contactand remains away the controlling action may readily be obtainechbut in practise it is usually found that the scale beam does not operate in such a simple manner but has in itself an oscillating tendency which tends to first break a contact, then to re-establish it. and finally breal; it a second time. Such action may repeat a number of times and if notprovided Ior will make the control entirel unreliable;

These conditions are particularly liable to occur when the live load is such as to bring the pointer to either end of the graduated dial. In the diagrammatic view, curve 1 shows in a somewhat illustrative manner the motion of the beam and contact action when the oiisettin force and live load are equal. Upon the taking oil of ca pacity weights from the scalebeam, it will first move away rapidly from the zero or contact line, thereafter it will swing bacl: in a lower period below the normal line and then sweep in a still slower period above normal, finally coming to rest at zero.

Curves 2 and 3 show the action with loads in excess of the applied capacity weights.

'To prevent contact reclosure and reopeninn disturbing; thecontrol of the load oil:'- setting means when the scale operates under such oscillator conditions, I provide a suitable means for delaying the establishment 'll now flow through the motor 3% n es Upon the application of L0 the scale, the craft rod contacts 49 close. Clio-rent now liows from line n'ough wire coutrollinc resistance 50, acnct contacts 4-9, wire 57 and 58 and I The energization of magnet 55 s a switch device 59, and closes a circuit from line 53, through wire 60, motor 3% switch 59 contact (ll, wires 62 and 58, and back to line. The motor now starts to rotate. The contacts A and 45 are both connected in a *ircuit 64- which includes a relay magnet (35. and this circuit 64: is tappedin shunt or potention'ieter circuit across a resistance which is connected to line 53 and line when the switch device is upon the upper contact 01. Resistance 03 is also across the line --53 w e 2 33 will be both open. No curfl on the circuit is closed and current flowing through the switch *9 and. lower contacts The resistance 63 prevents the open circuit voltage across the contacts 44ll from reaching the higher line voltage. I have found that 2% volts is a desirable maximum to prevent contact deterioration. Current may flow through circuit 6% and relay mag net 05 whenever either contact or is closed and the circuit through the magnet will be interrupted when both these contacts are open. To prevent sparking the contacts when circuit G l is being opened, I may pro icle a resistance 63 'in shunt around magnet 65.

lVith the weighing operation starting, contacts 44 will be closed and 45 open. magnet 65 will. be energized and relay arm 36 lifted eventually closing contacts 67. Then a so-called controlling circuit will be made from line ariu contacts 67, *ire 68, switch 59 (now on upper contacts). line 69. clutch magnet 40. controlling resistance 40; and heel: to line The magnet .10 being ener clutch to be engag 3 now actuates the ca:

Q'EZGCl allows he t; have been re- (ill ' means with the control relay.

the decrease in weight is the bear i k) l al weight or weights to be removed it pm the beam. 'l he swinging oi the bcai'n firom contacts will again stop further we it chan On the other hand add? tonal r ut be applied to the draft rod and contacts l be closed by the beam, the weight changing device will con tinue its cycle removj' lg the balance of the weights then reapplying them and after wards will remove them one by one until the beam is in a tr e floating position be tween the contacts.

ismuch as the contacts ll-d5 may be reopened after closure and again reclosed when the scale beam is under certain conditious of loading, provide means for preventing instantaneous closure of the control circuit throi h the relay arm. This delayed closure of the control circuit is secured by associating a suitable retarding l have here shown this in the form of a dash pot 70 having a piston. 71 suitably connected with the relay arm 66. @ther forms of retarding devices may be used. it is desirable that the retard ng device have a period ct lag of such to that the preliminary beam movements will be completed or substantially so b ore the controlling circuit is established. trol oi closure may be secured by proper desi a or adjustment of the dash pot and in practise the amount oi lag required will depend largely upon the oscillation characteristics oi the operating scale beam. It is also "Toportant for proper operation that the rei n Gil not only close contact 67 after a oi time, but that the opening of this be made rapidly whenever magnet 65 s de-en ,'ired. this action may be secured ways, and here accomplished by a. check valve 1 2 in the piston 71. we allows the piston to fall. rapidly I, and rapidly lower arm 66, and prormes tor the proper lag of contact closure when the arm is elevated. Eiuitable adjustment of contacts 67 may be secured in way, as by screws Y3 (Fig. 9). The re- 1g actual changes of status of the it eliect-ually prevents improper l on action d the controlling contacts i l. or l a open and close rapidly or improperly in the beam 10 inannerheretoiiore explained. l do not deiire to be limited to dash pot for retarding the making and breaking of the control circuit. Uther and well known means can be used to prevent the circuit being established until the proper time has elapsed for the true beam condi ion to be determined.

' he weight entirely removed from the scale the contacts ltopen; magnet be-' comes deenergized, allowing switch device 59 to tail back upon the lower contacts 7 l-75. Gurrent now flows through the wire 76 and contacts 33 to wire 57 and 58 back to line. The motor then cor-.tinues to rotate until such time as contacts 32-33 both orv opened by cams 30 and 81. Until this time, the clutch magnet l0 remains energized and the weight changing mechanism is operated. "Vi hen contacts 32-33 are opened, the motor c rcuit, the circuit through resistance 63, and the control circuit 69, through the clutch r 'net do, will all be broken. lhe timing i conjoin opening of contacts 82, 33 is such that the 1 arts will all be at rest in their normal home V ositions with all the weights lo to the beam and ready for a new operation.

1 clsimz In a weighing scale, a scale beam, means for oilsetting the load thereon, electrical contacts actuated by said beam, a circuit governed by said contacts for controlling the load otisetting means, means for automatically initiating a load. offsetting operation by means of said controlling circuit, and a retarding device for cclaying the response of said controlling circuit to the actuation of the contacts by the beam.

2. in a weighing scale, in. combination with a scale beam and load oiisetting means therefor, of electrical contacts actuated by the beam, means controlled by said contacts for automatically initiating load oilsetting and controlling the operation of the aforesaid means, and means having; provisions for rendering abnormal operation of said contacts inetl ctive to control the operation of the aforesaid load otlsetting means.

3. Tin a weighing scale, in combination with a scale beam, of load oilsettuig mechalKilE .moval of a load from the scale, and a said means, said controlling means being controlled by the aforesaid contacts, said controlling means having provisions for automatically restoring the load offsetting means to normal zero position upon the reredevice associated with the aforetarding J! provisions ior delaysaid means and having ing' the operation of the controlling means for adetcrmined time period after the actuation of the contacts by the beam.

5. In a Weighing scale, in combination With :1 scale beam, of means for offsetting the load thereon, control devices for the aforesaid means, said control devices includingcontacts actuated by the beam, and a control circuit controlled thereby With provisions for alternatively automatically controlling the load offsetting means to increase or decrease the amount of oii'sei: load according to the rela ive amount of applied load, and means including circuit controlling devices for retarding the closure of said control circuit for a certain period after the initial closure of the said contacts by the beam.

6. In a Weighing scale, in combination, a scale beam, an electrically controlled load offsetting means, a plurality of pairs of con tact devices adapted to be actuated by said beam and a control circuit for the aforesaid means said circuit beino 0 ened or closed across the said contacts to by the opening or closure of either of the said contact devices, and means for delaying the time of closure of the control circuit and for permitting a rapid opening thereof.

In a Weighing scale, in combination with an element displaced by the Weight of the goods of contact devices actuated thereby, a source of current and connections therefrom to said contact devices, said connections including a resistance forming partof a potentiometer across the supply lines for controlling the open circuit voltage thereby prevent contact deterioration.

8. In Weighing scale having electrically actuated mechanism. in combination with a scale beam, of contact devices actuated thereby, eta circuit for the said contact devices, said cir uit including in shunt therewith a controlling resistance forming part of a potentiometer for preventing excessive open circuit voltage and excessive current flow through the contact devices for the purpose set forth.

9. In a weighing scale having an electrically actuated load offsetting mechanism, in combination with a controlling beam, of contact devices actuated thereby, a control circuit for the load offsetting mechanism controlled by said contacts upon their actuation by the beam, a resistance forming part of a potentiometer across the supply lines for control circuit associated with a resaid contact devices for preventing de- "erioration thereof, and a retarding device for delaying the response of the controlling circuit to the actuation of the Contact devices by the beam.

it). In a Weighing scale, in combination with an electrically controlled load offsetting mocha. Mm ands controlling circuit therefor, beam, contact'deviccs actuated thereby, contact circuit including a controlling relay adapted to be energized upon the closure of the contact devices by the beam to establish the control circuit, ant. means for governing the operation of said relay to give a delayed closure and quick opening thereof.

11. In a Weighing scale having a scale beam, supplementary load offsetting mechanism therefor, a motor for driving the said mehanism, means operated automatically by the placing of a load upon a scale for connecting the motor With a source of current, and means controlled by the position of the scale beam for coupling anduncoupling the motor with the supplementary load offsetting mechanism.

12. In a Weighing scale having a scale beam and a connected load support, a load offsetting mechanism, a motor for driving the same, means controlled by the position of the scale beam for coupling and uncoupling the motor With said load offsetting mechanism, means operable automatically upon the application of a load to the load support for connecting the motor in circuit with a. source of current, and. means for disconnecting said supply circuit upon the removal of a load from the scale.

13. In a Weighing scale, in combination with a scale beam and a connected load support, a load ofisetting mechanism associated With the beam, a driving motor, means for coupling and uncoupling the motor to said mechanism, a supply circuit for the motor and means for interrupting said circuit upon the removal of a load from the scale and after the motor has restored the load offsetting mechanism'to the normal starting position.

14.. In a Weighing scale, in combination with a scale beam assuming various positions and a connected load support, means for offsetting the load upon the beam, a driving motor therefor, a clutch intermediate the motor and said means, and electrical contact devices actuated by said beanrfor controlling the operation of said clutch, said contact devices being adapted to control and maintain the clutch disengaged When the beam is in certain positions and to permit the engagement of said clutch upon the beam assuming other positions.

15. The invention set forth in claim 14 in which means is provided for causing the disengagement of the clutch upon the removal from he support and upon the completion of the moval or the operating cycle of said load otlsetting means alter such removal.

16. The invention set forth in claim 14:: in which means is provided for automatically electrically connecting the motor with the supply line upon the application ot a load to the load support. 7

1'11. In a Weighing scale having capacity Weights, in combination, a scale beam, a connected load support, means for changing the number of capacity Weights upon said beams, a single means for controlling; said last-mentioned means to effect either the reapplication of additional weights to said beam, said mentioned means including electrical contact device-s actuated by the beam.

18. lln a eighing; scale Weights, in combination, a scale beam, a connected load support, means for changing the number of capacity WK hts upon said beam, means including electrical Contact devices actuated by said beam for controlling said Weight changing means, said means being a single means and having provisions tor etfleeting either the removal or application of Weights to the beam when the latter is in certain positions and provisions :tor per mitting the number of We hts to remain unchanged when the beam in other positions.

19. lln a weighing scale, combination, a scale beam'having capacity Weights there on and automatic load counterbalancing means therefor, means "for successively changing the number of capacity Weights upon said beam, a single means including electrical contact devices actuated by the beam to control the Weight changing means to effect either the removal or the application of Weights to the beam. V

, 20. In a Weighing scale, in combination,

a scale beam, a connected load support, an

automatic load counterbalancing means, and means controlled electrically when the capacity of the automatic counterbalance is exceeded by the applied load tor changing the number of capacity Weights upon said beam, to thereby automatically bring the beam Within the range of the automatic counterbalance, said last mentioned means having provisions for automatically etlecting a further change in the number of Weights when the automatic counterbalance returns to its initial no load position.

having capacity 21, In a Weighing scale, in combination, a scale beam, a connected load support, an automatic counterbalance, a plurality of capacity Weights and means for depositing and removing the same from the beam, a motor tor actuating; said last mentioned means, and electrical control devices including contact devices actuated by a moving scale part for controlling both the deposit upon removal cl Weights from said beam, depen ing upon the loading the beam, the number oi? capacity Weights thereon, and the status or the automatic counterbala cc.

22. in a weighing scale, in combination with a scale beam and a capacity Weight device having a plurality of capacity W "a adapted to be deposited upon or removed from the beam, of an electrical control for said device comprising; beam actuated contact devices, a controlling; circuit controlled thereby and a supplements 1 means tor timing the closure oi the con i circuit. The invention set lorth in claim rvhich effects a retarding and the trolled thereb said contacts and a sin le,

. a r in controlling means havin provisions for controlling both the removal and ot Weights from and to the beam.

25. in a weighing scale, in combination with a scale beam, of a capacity Weight changing mechanism comprising a shaft carrying: plurality of cams, a plurality oi; lifter arms, and a capacity Weight on each said arm, a motor for driving the said cam shalt, a clutch for coupling the motor to said shaft, means controlled by the scale beam for controlling; the actuating cl said clutch whereby the changing oi tne weights is effected automatically by the motor in accordance with the status or the beam.

26. The invention set forth in claim 25 in which means is provided for establishing a circuit to the motor automatically upon the application of a load to the scale.

in testimony whereof l hereto my signature.

application it 

